Posted 02/03/09 at 08:07:46 AM by Pulkit Chandna

After Obama’s website, black hats have now managed to sow the seeds of deceit in Google video search results. Security firm Trend Micro has discovered that that about 400,000 queries trigger Google Video search results that “have a single redirection point, and one that eventually leads to malware download and execution.” The black hats have been able to manipulate search results to their advantage using simple SEO techniques. For this purpose, they have reserved several domains and populated them with keywords.

According to Trend Micro, the malware executable, dubbed WORM_AQPLAY.A, proliferates using removable and network drives. The malware executable is disguised as an Adobe Flash installer. The malware only prompts the user to download the malicious Flash installer when he reaches one of the malefic video websites being run by the black hats.

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Posted 12/29/08 at 02:26:42 PM by Pulkit Chandna

An anonymous blackhat hacker is unabashedly exploiting an unattended vulnerability in URL redirect notifications to redirect internet users to malicious websites. As most websites, including the major ones, merely issue a notification to users that they are being redirected to another URL without scrutinizing that particular website, users remain sitting ducks to such attacks.

The nefarious attacker has gone a step further by employing SEO techniques to increase the standing of his spyware-bearing websites with search engines. Security analyst Gary Warner says that the threat can be rooted out, if redirects are tempered to only accept referrals from verified websites. However, he expects the threat to persist due to regulatory inaction.

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